how long can this debt be chased for?

[dispaired]

in 1999 our house was sold with negative equaty. There was an outstanding amount of 22000. The mortgage company had the price of the house plus a profit plus all payments made.My husband at the time was on severedisablement allowance.So had no way of paying it. His name is first on the mortgage. I am now divorced I have no source of income and he still on the same benefits.